Philippine Immigration Eyes Advance Info on Philippine Visitors

By Evelyn Macairan, The Philippine Star

 

 To better screen high-risk passengers coming to the country, the Bureau of Immigration is hoping to get advance information about the passengers even before they step on Philippine soil.

 

Immigration commissioner Siegfred Mison said they are pushing for the implementation of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) to allow immigration officers to receive data about the passengers bound for the Philippines even before they arrive at international airports and seaports.

He said the government needs an APIS “so that we could channel all our resources to those passengers who are considered as high-risk and low risk. We would be able to immediately let the ‘good guys’ in and keep the ‘bad guys’ out.”

Mison said they are still in the process of getting President Aquino to sign an executive order to implement APIS.

The yearly subscription to the provider of the advance passenger database alone could amount to P16 million. Aside from the BI, the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Tourism might be asked to help shoulder the subscription cost since they would also benefit from the system.

The service also covers the training of personnel for the APIS.

There are three top APIS providers that would still have to bid for the project once the President signs the executive order.

Mison is hoping the project pushes through before the end of the year.

Two international events are scheduled next year where the APIS would prove to be useful – the five-day apostolic visit of Pope Francis from Jan. 15 to 19 next year and the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meet.

The first batch of delegates for APEC is expected to arrive this December.

HAPPY KADAYAWAN IN DAVAO CITY 2014

From Germany to Gubat: Philipp Dukatz Travels to the Philippines

Enjoying a buko juice on the beach of Sabang, Palawan. All photos courtesy of Philipp Dukatz

Philipp Dukatz was working for Germany’s biggest telecommunications company when he decided to leave his job, give in to his wanderlust and travel to Southeast Asia, as he had long dreamed of doing.

The result is a year-long trek in which he zig-zagged the region, visiting the temples of Thailand and walking with the Komodo dragons of Indonesia, crashing a wedding in Hue and riding on top of jeepneys in Sorsogon—all chronicled in his blog Escapology.eu.

While Dukatz has since gone back to the corporate world, he says there are still some places he wants to visit, and others he wants to go back to. He spoke to GMA News Online via email about his travels in the Philippines.

Sambawan Island, Leyte.

Q: Was the language barrier a big one? Were you able to communicate easily with people?

A: I have traveled all across Southeast Asia, visited 9 countries overall, and I can say that communicating in the Philippines was probably the easiest. This was due to the Filipinos’ good command of the English language which made interaction easier. I found it a lot easier to get to know people, strike up a conversation and socialize than in any of the other countries I have visited. And all of this made for the unique travel experience which I ended up having.

Q: You talked about living the "Buhay-Baboy" in Gubat, Sorsogon. Was that a radically different lifestyle than you were used to in Germany?

A: The term was coined during a longer stay in Gubat, a small seaside town in the province of Sorsogon. We spent Holy Week there at a little beach and surf camp organized by the local surfing community. We got to know locals as well as other Filipinos from Manila who were also there for the so called Hayahay camp. We often sat together, had good food, drinks, listened to music, sang and enjoyed those relaxed days. It was a good life, without much to worry about, lot of laughter and happiness. Someone called it “Buhay Baboy” which, as far as I remember, translates to a “pig’s life”. Everybody liked it so much that it stuck instantly. My travel mates and I adopted the term for the rest of our journey and quoted it whenever we had another one of those “Buhay Baboy Moments”.

This lifestyle, of course only temporarily, was very different from what I was used to at home. I was caught up in a stressful job, lots of obligations and lots of worries, which, now that I look back, where not even justified. So yes, it was different and I enjoyed it a lot.

Dukatz with some residents of Gubat, Sorsogon.

Q: Do you prefer going to the off-the-beaten-track places?
A: I definitely prefer it on a general note but sometimes it also feels good to return to the backpacker trail. Just to enjoy the company of other travelers, exchange stories and travel tales. But usually venturing off the beaten track makes for the better travel experience. The things you experience are more unique and the interactions with the people are more real than in areas which have been exposed to tourism for some time. I can say that the best memories of my journey wouldn’t have been possible without going off the beaten track. But as I said, mixing it up a little is usually good as being on your own in the remotest areas can become a bit exhausting after a while.

Q: I don't think you went to Mindanao. Was it a deliberate choice not to go there, and are you planning to go there in the future?

A: We were actually supposed to go there but in the end we ran out of time. I think to really explore Mindanao, we probably would have had to skip Palawan and that was a place I really wanted to see. But yes, being a surfer I really would have liked to surf Cloud 9 in Siargao, to see the enchanted river, visit Davao and explore the other highlights of Mindanao. In the end, you can’t do everything but it is something that is high up on my list for my next visit to the Philippines. Hopefully not before too long.

Wreck diving off the coast of Coron, Palawan.

Q: You noted all of your expenses. Is this part of your routine when going on extended travels?

A: In my opinion this is a must if you are traveling long term. It is easy to lose track of your expense if you don’t note them in one way or another. For most people who decide to travel long term, money is the limiting factor rather than time, and this was also the case for me. So if you can prevent to overspend and budget wisely, you will be probably able to stay away for a couple of more months. And that is a good motivation.

Q: Did you have any truly unusual experiences, the kind that made you go, "I can't believe this is happening to me right now" or "I can't believe I'm doing this"?

A: Well maybe two different kind of experiences. The first thing involves me setting out for a solo trek into the Malaysian jungle of Taman Negara. You are not supposed to that on your own but at that time I didn’t feel like joining a group tour. I underestimated the trek and it ended up being a grueling march through leech-infested terrain with 35 degrees at about 90 percent humidity outside. I found an abandoned bungalow complex by the river and camped out overnight. The next day I really didn’t feel like hiking back so I hitchhiked a local longboat to make it back to the village I was staying at.

The other story is about my stay in Gubat, which I mentioned above. It was nothing crazy or thrilling, but there I was allowed to experience the amazing and unique Filipino hospitality first hand. During those days, I was offered food, drinks and shelter by people whom I was just introduced to. I was able to make real friends which is an extraordinary thing when traveling long term. I look back at this time with a smile on my face and a humble feeling of gratitude.

Dukatz and some newly made friends in Batad, Mountain Province

Q: Where are you off to next?

A: For now I am back to work so I can’t even tell when I will go traveling again. But I definitely want to visit the Philippines again and I can just hope that it won’t be before too long. I have received so many travel tips by my blog readers and facebook fans, that my list of places I want to explore is too long already. I’d like to see Ilocos, Batanes and Mindanao, just to name a few. Apart from that there a few countries in my bucket list which are really intriguing. Certain parts of India, Bhutan, Mongolia or Tibet for example. But at this time I have no real plans made..... not yet.

Cliff jumping in Siquijor.

Why Davao City?

Re-published column of mine from August 1, 2014 in MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR with friendly permission of Publisher Marietta F. Siongco.

A couple of years ago, I got the chance to meet Davao City's then vice mayor Sara Duterte for an interview. She took almost an hour to talk with me. One question of her was very much preying on my mind: How can Davao City become more attractive for investors and expatriates? Expats as pensioners and as business people as well... . 

Davao City has really a lot to offer. Where should I start?

Living in this wonderful city since 1999 already as an expatriate and businessman, I experienced already many of the good things that Sara Duterte has talked about. Sure, with the predominantly migration population, Davao City is a melting pot of cultures where diversities are well appreciated, respected, and  nurtured in a harmonious and peaceful environment. This is one of my most important reasons in staying here for good. Until 1998, I resided in Berlin, which is also very known for a multi-cultural and open city.

Davao City has one of the highest literacy rates in Asia, if we could believe, what's been published many times already. Davao City's labor force is cited as among the best in the region: educated, easily trainable, industrious and English speaking. Yes, I love to do business here while also being able to teach at the University of Southeastern Philippines in Obrero.

Every time, I am coming back from different business trips and entering then Davao City's airport, I utter the groan, "Salamat, I am back home!"

There is another reason: Although Davao City's average monthly crime volume went up a little bit, the peace and order public safety is indeed unique and awesome and very well known even leaving the municipal area of Mindanao itself. The Philippines' first emergency 911 call center has been of the priority development programs of our good mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Many expats or tourists can't imagine that a state of the art communication system that Davao City shares in common, an only befound in the U.S. and Canada.

Many more things could be mentioned. One thing for sure: Our good mayor has credited the Aquino administration for putting Davao City on the "green map" of investments and tourism in the country, as the MIRROR headlined last Monday. The mayor is totally right in saying, "Whether it is a spin-off of an improved economy - it happened during the Aquino administration." Speaking about the whole nation, German Ambassador to the Philippines Ossowski got the same opinion  when I met him last time in the German Embassy.

Yes, Davao City is really "a haven of urban luxury and gateway to natural wonders, engaging festivals and world-class tourism facilities. I left my heart in Davao City already in 1982 - during a trip to San Francisco... !

Philippines need Two Major Airports

By Louella D. Desiderio (The Philippine Star)

The Philippines will need to have two major airports to cater to the growing tourist traffic in the country, airport specialists said yesterday.

Speaking at the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) general membership meeting yesterday, Shizuo Iwata, project manager of Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Metro Manila Master Transportation Study and chairman of Almec Corp. said the country needs to develop both the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Clark International Airport to cater to the rising number of travellers.

“Clark and NAIA have different catchment areas. It is not a choice between Clark and NAIA. It is two airports we need. Clark will serve Central and Northern Luzon while NAIA will serve main metropolitan,” he said.

He noted that while the Clark International Airport can still be expanded to meet an expected increase in number of tourists, the anticipated growth in tourists using NAIA will require the development of a new airport.

Based on JICA’s study, the total number of passengers in the Clark catchment area will rise to 9.230 million by 2040 from 1.315 million in 2012.

As for the NAIA catchment area, the total number of passengers is expected to hit 101.485 million by 2040 from 31.877 million in 2012.

Iwata said the JICA has looked at eight candidate locations for the new NAIA but has picked Sangley Point in Cavite and Laguna de Bay as the best site based on catchment area, availability of land and future expansion, navigation risk due to mountain range, flooding and other natural hazard risks, wind speed and direction, accessibility, minimal risks of aircraft crash and noise problems and integrated urban development opportunity or value capture.

Other sites considered were Angat-Pandi-Bustos (Bulacan), Obando (Bulacan), North Portion of Manila Bay (near Metro Manila and Bulacan boundaries), Central Portion of Manila Bay, San Nicolas Shoals, West Laguna Lake and Rizal – Talim Island.
Iwata said the development of the new NAIA in Sangley Point is estimated to cost $11 billion and expected to be completed in 2025.

“In the dream plan, as soon as new NAIA is open, we can close old NAIA,” he said noting that the old NAIA can become a central business district.

In the same event, BenL Consulting International managing principal Ben Lao said the government must modernize NAIA and develop the Clark International Airport at the same time.

He noted that just like other large cities in the world like Tokyo in Japan which have two airports Haneda and Narita, there is a need for a dual airport system here to plan for future growth.

He said NAIA must be fixed to cater to an expected rise in number of passengers given the country’s highly educated English speaking and mobile population as well as the large number of citizens working and living abroad.

“Clark is a gateway and it should be developed concurrently. To say that we will close NAIA and move it to Clark, as business people, residents living in this area, you will find it cumbersome to travel to Clark and Manila back and forth,” he said.

As for developing a new airport, he said Sangley Point would be the right choice.
“With NAIA and a new airport, I favor Sangley. Because of its geographical position, the Philippines is poised to be and should be the aviation hub in the Asia Pacific region and we must not waste time to do that. It means jobs, it means opportunities and alleviation of poverty, all of those things. Economic impact of aviation could be tremendous,” he said.

For his part, Avelino Zapanta, Southeast Asian Airlines International Inc. president and chief executive officer and MAP’s national issues Committee member said he is pushing for a dual airports system as well, with NAIA to serve as a domestic hub and Clark as an international hub.

100 millionth Filipino due Early Sunday

By Tina G. Santos

AFP FILE PHOTO

By the reckoning of a population expert, the Philippine population will hit 100 million at 12:06 a.m. or thereabouts on Sunday. Be happy if your baby is born around that time because you will earn P5,000.

The P5,000 will be given  in kind—not in cash—and will include basic provisions for  babies, such as  cloth diapers.

The prize will go to each of the 100 babies born in local government units (LGUs) nationwide to be chosen by the Commission on Population (Popcom).

The figure of 100 million was based on population projections by the Philippine Statistics Authority, which says three babies are born in the Philippines every minute.

With this trend, the country’s population is expected to hit 100 million on July 27 at 12:06 a.m., according to Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III, executive director of Popcom.
“Only babies born at 12:06 a.m. and beyond, meaning at 12:06 a.m. or seconds/minutes later, will be chosen to be part of the 100 symbolic babies because it’s the time projected when the 100-millionth baby will be born based on the mathematical analysis we conducted,” Perez said.

A blessing
 
Perez said the event would bring hope and challenges to the country as it struggles to give its people a better quality of life.

For Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, reaching the 100-million figure is actually good news and a blessing.

“It’s good for the economy … it’s good news, not bad news,” Castro said over Church-run Radio Veritas.

He said having more Filipinos would mean more human resources to advance the economy.

“We need enough young population to sustain the economy. Because of a young population, we can actually be economically strong,” Castro said.

He said having such a big population should not be seen as a problem.

“Unfortunately, we have been brainwashed [to think] that a bigger population is equated with poverty, which is [not true],” Castro said.

He cited India as an example, saying it had already overtaken Japan as the third-largest economy in the world, with Japan already experiencing a “demographic winter,” or aging population.

Solving poverty
 
“India became the third-largest economy in the world precisely because of its robust, young population,” Castro said.

He urged the government to work on finding real solutions to poverty and use the high number of Filipinos to advantage, instead of looking at it as a problem.
“As long as you can provide them with the opportunity for education, for work, for employment, a young population can help make the country an economic powerhouse,” Castro said.

To celebrate the milestone, it will be choosing 100 babies in the LGUs nationwide, Popcom said.

“These babies will symbolically usher hope for a better quality of life as they epitomize the challenge to make every Filipino count in the country’s development,” Perez said in a phone interview.

“The LGUs will ensure that these  babies will have all the population development support and services they need—that they are able to go to school, they are healthy, they have livelihood opportunities,” he said.

“If they get all these, then it means the other people in that LGU are getting the same support and services. It means that the government is doing a good job,” he said.
Perez said Popcom had a set of criteria in choosing the 100 babies.

The major criteria are that the baby must be born at 12:06 a.m. or seconds/minutes later; must be born in a government-licensed health facility; the facility must be certified as observing the Philippine Standard Time; and the birth must be certified by the attending birth attendant/doctor.

Only babies born through normal, spontaneous delivery are qualified to vie for the recognition. The parents should also be a resident of the provinces in the region.

Populous countries 
 
Countries with a population of 100 million or more are:

– Mexico – 122.3 million
– Japan – 127.1 million
– Russian Federation – 142.8 million
– Bangladesh – 156.6 million
– Nigeria – 173.6 million
– Pakistan – 182.1 million
– Brazil – 200.4 million
– Indonesia – 249.9 million
– United States of America – 320.1 million
– India – 1.252 billion
– China – 1.385 billion

With Philippine Daily Inquirer
(C) 2014